Apparatus for producing carpet retaining strips



Feb. 23, 1954 H. l.. NEwcoMB Erm.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CARPET RETAINING STRIPS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 24, 1951 Feb. 23, 1954 H. NEwcoMB ETAL 2,669,714

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CARPET RETAINING STRIPS Filed Dec. 24, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 zoo 202 203 veA/roms:

How/wn L. Newco/1B FRED E. WERNER /P/CHA RD d MVL-"Qs Hav/PV L ATAR/ Feb. 23, 1954 H. l.. NEwcoMB ErAL 2,669.714

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CARPET RETAINING STRIPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 24, 1951 Z'Nl/E/vv'oms.- Hou/A90 Z.. /Vfwcon l l H950 E. MRA/ER @Y HNAM Feb/23, 1954 H. NEwcoMB ETAL 2,669,714

APPARATUS FoR PRoDucING CARPET RETAINING sTRIPs Filedpac. 2,4, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 m, MRS/s R YE.A

MMMAWW L A 5 Edymrm @www5 WmmmE/W o AcH a H M M Feb. 23, 1954 H. L. NEwcoMB ET AL 2,669,714

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CARPET RETAINING STRIPS Filed Dec. 24, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fvwm/Top5.- /fon/Ap L. /VEn/co/v FRED E. ,//z/EP/VER P/CHAD d MYERS #5A/@y A57-Am strip.

Patented Feb. 23, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PRUDUCING CARPET RETAINING STRIPS Howard L. Newcomb, Fred E. Werner, Richard J. Myers, and Henry Laetari, Los Angeles County, Calif., assignors to Roberts Manufacturing Co., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 24, 1951, Serial No. 263,096

26 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming carpet retaining strips or fasteners similar in nature to the carpet fastener disclosed in the United States Letters Patent No.

2,238,946, issued on April 22, 1941, to Roy M.

teners being angularly inclined with respect to the horizontal upper surface of the base strip.

Among the problems attendant on the manufacture of the aforementioned carpet fasteners are the handling of large numbers of relatively ilexible base strips; the orientation of the base strips with their transverse axes disposed in `planes angularly inclined with respect to horizontal planes; the conveyance of the base strips in an expeditious and efficient manner; the'formation in the strips of fastener receiving holes;

the prevention of the splintering ofthe strip when fasteners are driven therein; the driving of lfasteners. into the previously formed fastener receiving holes in such a manner that the longitudinal axes of the fasteners Will be inclined with respect to the horizontal upper surface of the base strip when the fasteners are driven thereinto; and insuring that the Working ends of the fasteners protrude a predetermined distance above the upper face of the strip after the fasteners have been driven therethrough.

It is, therefore, a primary object of our invention to provide an apparatus for the manufacture of carpet fasteners which includes means for orienting the transverse axes of the base strips at angles to horizontal planes so that, When the fasteners are driven thereinto With their longitudinal axes aligned with the vertical, their longitudinal axes will be disposed angularly with respect to the upper surface ofthe l Another object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus for manufacturing carpet fasteners which includes an angularly disposed bed, the transverse axis of the bed being angularly disposed with respect to a horizontal plane, said bed being designed to receive the base strips of the carpet fasteners and to orient them with their transverses axes angularly in clined to the same horizontal plane as the bed.

Another object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus for manufacturing carpet fasteners which includes a bin juxtaposed to the receiving end of the aforesaid bed, said bin being adapted to receive a plurality of superimposed base strips and being angularly inclined with respect to the vertical so as to orient the transverse axes of the strips deposited therein with the angular inclination of the bed associated with said bin.

A further object of'our invention is the provision of an apparatus for forming carpet fasteners which includes conveyormeans for translating said base strips along the aforesaid angularly inclined bed, said conveying means being designed to extract base strips from the aforementioned bin at the receiving end of said vbed and to translate them along the entire length y provision of conveying means of the aforementioned type which is intermittently operable so that the base strips are rendered momentarily immobile on the aforementioned bed to permit certain operations to be performed thereupon during the time in which the strips are not moving on said bed.

An additional object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus for manufacturing carpet fasteners which includes a vertically reciprocable carriage, said carriage being reciprocable between a first, uppermost position, and a second, lowermost position adjacent the aforesaid bed, and being mounted on Aa frame adjacent said bed to facilitate the reciprocation thereof with respect thereto.

A further object of our invention is the pro- Vision of an apparatus for manufacturing carpet fasteners in which the aforementioned reciprocable carriage is operatively connectedto the conveying means of the apparatus, the reciprocating movement of the carriage causing the concomitant movement of said'conveyng means with respect to said'bed.

An additional object of our inventionv is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned 'type wherein the operativeconnection between said carriage and said conveying means is of the lost motion type, permitting the I conveying means to be rendered temporarily immoble While i on the carriage and reciprocable therewith and a cam follower associated with said conveying means and engageable with said cam.

An additional object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned type in which the aforesaid carriage has secured thereto punch means adapted to preform fas` tener receiving holes in a base strip when said carriage moves from its first, uppermost position to its second, lowermost position.

Another object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned type invwhich said punch means has its longitudinal axes vertically oriented so that vertical fastener receiving holes will be formed in the angular-ly disposed base strips by said punch means.

A further object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned type in which release means is operatively Aconnected tosaid punch means 4to permit the volun tary. inactivation of Vsaid punch means so that, when a base strip through which fasteners have `not been vdriven is rerun through the apparatus, the punch means will be rendered inoperative and not form additional openings or holes in the base strip.

A further object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned type which includes fastener driving means for inserting fasteners .in fastenerA receiving holes previously formed in the base strip by the aforementioned punch means. An associated object of our invention is the vertical orientation of the fastener driving means on the carriage of the apparatus so that the fasteners will be driven into the base strip with their longitudinal axes vertically aligned.

Although thematerial utilized in the base strips of the carpet fasteners is characterized by extremely high anti-splitting characteristics, it has been discovered that thel force with which the fasteners are driven through the base strips.. despite the previous formation therein of Afastener receiving holes, will cause the splintering of the base strips to such an extent as to render the completed carpetfastener .less salable. It was necessary, therefore, to' provide an anti-splintering means which would prevent the splintering of the base strips while theY fasteners were driven thereinto by the fastener driving means.

Another object of our inventionv is'th-e provision of temporary support means for the 'basestrips which substantially encompass the preformed holes therein and `which temporarily support the face of the stripy adjacent .said holes when the fasteners are driveny therethrough.

An additionalobject of ourinvention the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned type in which the aforesaid temporary support means is provided with na. plurality of receptacles for receiving the portions of the fasteners extending from the upper face of sai'd ystrip `after they have been driven therethrough and which is -so designed that. when. the base strip is translated along the bed of the'apparatus after the driving of the fasteners therethrough, the fasteners cause the rotation of the temporary support means to juxtapose another receptacle in the temporary support means below the next fastener receiving hole.

Itis extremely important that the lengths of the portions of. the fasteners which project above the face of' the base strip be substantially uniform'and nnatintaimad` at optimum lengths.Y This is due to the fact that the edge of a carpet attached to the fasteners of the carpet fastener must be simultaneously impaled upon a relatively large number of the fasteners and, if the lengths of the portions of the fasteners projecting above the face of the base strip were not substantially equal, difficulty in securing the edge of a rug or carpet thereto would be encountered. Furthermore, if the protruding portions of the fasteners were too short, insufficient hooking action of the fasteners would cause the carpet to tear upon the application of tension used in installing the carpet. .If the protruding portions of the fasteners were too long, they would penetrate the upper .surface of the carpet.

Another object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character which includes fastener depth adjusting means for insuring that the lengths of the portions of the fasteners projecting beyond the face of the base strips are substantially .uniform and maintained at an. optimum length.y

Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent from the following specification and. the accompanying drawings, which are for the purpose of illustration only, and` in which:

Fig. 1 is an. isometric view of the basic frame of the apparatus .for manufacturing carpet fasteners, together with a portion of the operative structure thereof;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view ofthe apparatus lfor manufacturing carpet .fasteners constructed in accordance with our invention;I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, end elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig.. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, end elevational view taken from. the broken line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5. is a fragmentary, top plan view taken from the broken line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is` an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the conveying means of the apparatus taken on the broken line 6-6 of Fig. 4';

Fig. 7 a vertical,- fragmentary view taken on the-broken line 'I-f of Fig. 13;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged.. fragmentary view taken on the broken line 8-8 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, front elevational view taken from the broken line 9--9 of Fig` 8;

Fig.4 10l is a partly sectional view taken on the broken line IIl-I 0- of Fig.` 13;

. Fig. .11. is an. enlarged, fragmentary view taken from the broken line I I -Irl of Fig. 10;

12' is a; transverse sectional view taken on the broken line I2---l2 of Fig. 10;

. Fig.. 13 is an` enlarged, fragmentary plan view taken. in thedirecticn of. the arrow I3 of Fig. 2;

Fig; 14e is an isometric, fragmentary view of a carpet fastener' constructed in accordance with thef method and on the apparatus of the present invention;

` Fig. 15: is anenlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on the broken line I5I5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig.: 16y is an. enlarged view of the prepunch. of

I the invention.

` factoring' apparatus I Il' constructed in accordance with. ourinvention and including afframe vI l, said frame being. constituted, in part, by an. elongated table. structure I2 and av pair of vertical standardsY I4.i and I5 disposed. rearwardly of the table structureA I 2 and spaced laterally fromeach other. Mounted on the vertical standards. t4 and I5 and reciprocable between a. first, uppermost position and a second, lowermost position, 'is a carriage I1. Supported, upon the table structure l2 is a bed structure i9, said bed structure being shown generally in Fig. 2 of the drawings and being designed to receive a carpet fastener base strip 2l such as that of the completed carpet fastener 22 shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

Considering the nature and construction of the carpet fastener 22 which is manufactured in the apparatus l0, said fastener includes the base strip 2l which is formed of wood or similar material and which is provided with a plurality of elongated fasteners 23 which project upwardly and angularly from the upper face 24 of the base strip 2 l. It should be understood that, when the base strips 2i are fed into the apparatus I0, the upper faces thereof are disposed downwardly so that the fasteners can be driven therethrough in a manner to cause them to project from and above said upper faces.

Disposed adjacent the receiving end of the bed structure I9, that is, the right-hand end of the bed structure as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is a base strip receiving bin 2E for receivinga large number of base strips 2| to supply said strips to the receiving end of the bed structure I9, in a manner which will be described in greater detail below. The base strip receiving bin 26, as best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings,

includes an elongated bottom portion 28, said bottom portion being constituted by an elongated channel 29 of substantially L-shaped configuration. It will be noted, as best shown in 4 of the drawings, that the bottom leg 3| of the l.shaped channel 29 is inclined approximately 30 from the horizontal -while the side leg 32 of the L-shaped channel 29 is inclined approximately 30 from the vertical.

The outermost end of the L-shaped channel 29 is supported upon a vertical standard 32, while the delivery end thereof is aixed to the receiving end of a portion of the bed structure I9 by means of a mounting plate 25 which has one leg 35 secured by a bolt 3l to the receiving end of the bed structure I9 and its other leg 38 welded to the delivery end of the L-shaped channel 29.

Adjustably secured to the L-shaped channel 29 adjacent the outermost end thereof is an outermost bin end 49, best shown in Figs. 2 and l5 of the drawings, and including an angularly oriented retainer 22 having its lowermost end t3 seated on the bottom leg 3l of the L-shaped channel 29 and its side wall lift maintained in contiguity with the side leg 92 of the L-shaped channel 29. oriented retainer' 22 engages the outermost ends or base strips 2l deposited in the bin 25, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and serves to retain said strips in said bin. A reinforcing plate 45 appropriately secured, as by welding, to the back of the side wall 42 of the retainer 42 has its lowermost end engaging the top of the side leg 32 of the L-shaped channel 29, a retainer block 4S being provided on the lowermost end of the reinforcing plate 26 which engages the upper portion of the side leg 32 of the L-shaped channel 29 to prevent the angularly oriented retainer c2 from being laterally displaced from the channel 29.

Fastened to the reinforcing plate i5 of the angularly oriented retainer 42 by means of a connecting arm i9 is an adjustment means 50 for adjustably positioning the angularly oriented.

The end wall 45 of the angularly retainer l2 at a desired point along the length of the L-shaped channel 29 to permit base strips'A` 2l having dierent lengths to be accommodated in the base strip receiving bin 25. The adjustment means 59, shown in detail in Fig. 15 of the drawings, includes an elongated slide bar 52 which engages the outer surface of the side leg 32 of the L-shaped channel 29 and has fastened thereto, as by means of welding, a securing clip 53 the upper end of which is fastened to the slide bar 52 and the lower end of which underlies the bottom leg 3l of the L-shaped channel 29. A bolt 59 threaded in the securing clip 53 has its end positioned to engage the intersection of the bottom leg and side leg 3| and 32 of the L- shaped channel 29 to secure the adjusting means 59 and, therefore, the angularly oriented retainer 42 against movement with respect to the L- shaped channel 29.

If it is desired to shift the angularly oriented retainer 42 along the length of the channel 29 to increase or decrease the size of the base strip receiving bin 29, the bolt 54 is unscrewed in the securing clip 53 to release it from engagement with the L-shaped channel 29, thus permitting the sliding bar 52 and. the retainer block 48 to be slid along the side leg 32 of the L-shaped channel 29. When the desired point of adjustment of the angularly oriented retainer d2 is reached, the bolt 52 is threaded into the securing clip 53 to cause the end of the bolt to engage the interior of the L-shaped channel 29 and hold the adjustment means 59 and the associated angularly oriented retainer :i2 against inadvertent movement along the L-shaped channel 29.`

Fastened to the side leg `32 of the L-shaped channei 29 intermediate its outermost and delivery ends are guide rails such as the guide rail t adapted to prevent the inadvertent, lateral dislocation of the base strips 2l deposited in the pin 29 therefrom. It should be noted that the guide rails 59, the angularly oriented retainer 42 and the L-shaped channel 29 are angularly positioned to position base strips 2| deposited therein so that, when the fasteners 23 are driven into the base strip 2 I they will project from the upper face 24 thereof at an angle thereto.

Positioned at the delivery end of the base strip receiving bin 26, as best shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, is a delivery gate 58, said gate being constituted, in part, by a substantially L-shaped shield 59, the lower end of the side wall 69 of which is secured to the leg 38 of the mounting plate 35 by means of welding or appropriate fasteners to orient the shield 59 with respect to the L- shaped channel 29. rIhus, the side wall 5i) is maintained at substantially the same angle t0 vthe horizontal as is the side leg 32 of the L- shaped channel 29 and is adapted to prevent the lateral dislocation of base strips 2I`from the bin 29. The front wall 62 of the shield 59 has its lowermost end terminating a substantial distance above the bottom leg 9i of the channel 29 to provide a delivery opening t9, best shown in Fig.-4 of the drawings, through which the forward end of the lowermost base strip 2i in the bin 26 is drawn, as will be described in greater detail below.

Provided on the iront wall 52 of the shield 59 is an adjustable tongue BS, said tongue being slidably mounted in a slider block El, the tongue 1.36 and the slider block El being mounted on the front wall 62 by means of a bolt 98 which can be released to permit the lowermost end of the tongue to be raised and lowered across the delivery opening 54 at the lower end of the front wall 52 of the shield 59 and which can be then tightenedftozmaintaintheadjustable tongue B6 in a. predetermined'.position.

1. It 'fsho'uld lbe noted-` vat .this kjuncture vthat-thc end. wall 45V ofthe angularly orientedretainer 42 andthe front Wall62 ofthe shield-59 are rearwardly'inclinedwith respect to the vertical and have 'their `longitudinal axes. arranged V in 1 substantial, but notexact, parallelism vwith each other; The angularlyl oriented retainer v421s al- .ways fadjusted'onffzthe channel 29-by means of vthe adjustment means 50 so" that the longitudinal `distance between the insideof thej front wall 62 of the shield `59 and the 'inside'of the .rear Wall '45"of the 'angularlyoriented retainer .42 is always 'substantially' less :than the contemplated lengths of the basestrips 2| -which are'tobe deposited therein, thus causing the basestrips 2| to have 4theirlongitudinal axes angularly oriented with respect to a horizontal planeso that thezforward `ends thereof abut against-the inside of theforwardwall '2 oftheishield 59 and are positioned substantially.lower` than the rearwardends thererofi which abut against the rear wall 45 of the iangularly oriented retainer 42. vThisis an eX- tremely important feature of the apparatusof.

our .invention and the method by which the oarxpet fasteners are manufactured since it prevents 'the entire weight of` a stack of superimposed base 4strips2l from being-imposed upon the lowermost `of :the base stripswhichisbeing withdrawn from Aimposed'base strip .2| rests thereupon, permitting -the base strip-.2| being acted upon by the apparatusf| 't0 .be withdrawn from the .bin with relaltiveease'fsince the entire-loadv of the base strips 2| in`- the bin 26 is not supported thereuponbut partiallysupported between the end-wall 45 `of the angularlynrient'ed retainer42 and the forward wall 62 of the shield 59.

The primary function ofthe adjustable tongue `Sli-is to vary the size of theopening 64 so that .base-strips 2| of varying thicknesses may be Vdrawn through the opening 64. Therefore,` when `itisdesired .to-change the thickness of the base Vstrips -2lfibeing operated upon by theapparatus 0,-the1tcngue66 is merely adjustedwith -reference tothe opening 64 by means ofthe looseningv of the-bolt `68'to permitit tobe-adjusted to the Iproper height with-'respect to the opening. 64.

Considering-the mode-of actuation and conf struction-of they carriage -i1` ingreater detail, `particular reference-being hadto-Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe 'fdrawings'the'vertical standards I4 and |5are provided with vertical grooves 10 on the interior vfaces thereof, saidv grooves being designed toreceive vertical slider members 1| of the car- .riage |1.

A transverse cross-arm 14 spans the space-between the vertical sliders' 1| on the carl riage `|1 and is secured thereto by means of bolts 15, or similar fasteners, adjacent the lower ends thereof. A clevis 16 is formed integrally with Ythecross-arm 14 and located intermediate the ends thereof andV is connected to the upper end @of anconnecting rod 18 by means of a wrist pin 11, the lower end of said connecting rod being secured-a to a crank 19 on a shaft 80 which is connected to a power source, not shown.

1. Carriedon the cross-arm 14Y is a drive bar82,

maid-drive vbar being carriedl up .and down by the movement of the cross-.arm- :14 as caused.- by. the vertical-movement ofthe connecting rod 18 be tweenaiirst,l uppermost position and a-second. lowermost position" for purposes which will-be described in greater detail below. Disposed below the drive bar 82 of the carriage l1 and fixedly secured between the vertical standards |4 and I5r is a mounting bar 84, which -s provided with a'longitudinalxmounting s101305. Secured to the drive bar 82 of the carriage |1 at the right-hand end thereof, as. viewedin Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawingsis an elongated -oamv'member 81-,said cam member having formed upon the lowermost end thereof a cam 88 having a `risey portionl 89 and a' dwell .portion 90. The cam member 81 is provided with .auxiliary support by means of fa-roller 9| secured in a rrecess-ginzone;.endof the fixed-mountingbar 84. Therefore,- as the carriage |1 is movedV up and down on the standards |4 Vand |5 by the action of the connecting rod 18, the caml member'81 is simultaneously reciprocated with the .carriage -|1, for purposes which will be described .in greater detail below.

,fofipunch and fastener drivingmeans is positioned inwardly from the vsecond set, as bestshownin Fig. 13,- so that the punchmeans 02 of the first set `pre-punches the -holes of a first row Blof fasteners 23 of the-carpet fastener 22 while its vassociated `fastener driving means 93 drives the fasteners in said first row, the second set of punch means 921 and fastener driving means 93 being spacedoutwardly from the first set to pre-punch the holes in the carpet fastener 22 .and drive the fastenersin a second row- 98 of fasteners 23. Therefore, the second row'98 of. fasteners 23is inserted in the base strip 2| subsequently to the .insertion ofthe first row of fasteners therein as willbe apparent from a further consideration of ,the specification.

l Since both of the punch means 92are identical configuration and construction andi differ Amerely. in.4 their mounting place on the drive bar 82, only one of the punch means will be described. As previously indicated, it has been discovered -thatit-is desirablegtopre-punch holes in the base ystripsY 2| prior' to driving the fasteners 23' therethrough. In performing this pre-punchingoperationVthe punchmeans 92 of the first set of punch and fastener driving meanspunches the first row 91of holes in the base strip 2| while the punchmeans 92 of the second set of punch and fastener driving means punches' the holes of the second row 98 in the base strip 2|.

. ThepunchV means 92, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 7 yof the drawings, includes a mounting shank |03 positioned in a* vertical bore |04 in the drive bar,82 and secured therein by means 'of a-nut |05 fastened to the upper end of the shank. The vertical bore |04 is provided with a counterbore |96 at its lowermost end, said ounterbore being designed to receive the upper portion of a mounting' block |01, theupper end of said mounting block being normally disposed adjacentv the entrance of said counterbore and spaced below the' shoulder`|09 providedb'y the coi'lnterbcrev |06 at its upper end. A punch receiving socket I| has a threaded upper portion which engages the lowermost end of a nut portion I I2 provided on the lowermost end of the mounting block |07. Secured in the socket III), as by means of a set screw I I4, is the upper end of an elongated punch II5. A guide block |II is xedly secured to the mounting bar 84 through the medium of the mounting slot 35 and a bolt I i9 and provides an elongated, vertical bore |23 which is designed to guide the hole forming end |22 of the punch II5. The punch means 92 shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings is included in the second set of punch and fastener driving means and, consequently, is designed to form the holes for the reception of the second row 98 of fasteners 23.

The forming end |22 of the punch I I 5 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 16 of the drawings and includes a shoulder 280 which provides a seat for the head of a fastener 23 and a pin 23| for forming a hole for guiding the fastener shank through the base strip 2|. Thus the punch ||5 forms a. hole for both guiding the fastener 23 and reducing the force necessary for driving same. The shoulder insures that the seat for the head of the fastener 23 will not be driven too deeply into the base strip 2 I.

Mounted on the top of the drive bar 82 and overlying the retaining nuts and upper ends of the Shanks |03 of the punch means 92 is a punch release means |25 constituted by an elongated lever` |26 which is pivotally mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane by means of a pivot |21, as best shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 13 of the drawings. When the release means |25 is in the full-line position shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings, the upper ends of the mounting shanks |03 of the punch means 92 are retained by the release lever |28 against movement in the bores |04 in the drive bar 82 when the carriage I'I is moved downwardly to carry the punch means 92 downwardly and into a base strip 2| deposited therebelow.

However, after a base strip 2| of a carpet fastener 22 has been run through the apparatus I0, it is occasionally discovered that certain of the pre-punched holes have not had fasteners 23 driven therethrough, necessitating the passage of the imperfect carpet fastener 22 through the apparatus I0 for a second time. To prevent the undesired impingement of the hole forming ends |22 of the punch means 92 on fasteners 23 which have already been driven into base strips 2|, the lever |23 of the release means |25 is rotated on the pivot |2'I into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings. When so disposed, the lever |25 is moved out of alignment with the upper ends of the mounting Shanks |03 of the punch means 92 and, when the hole forming ends |22 of the punch means 92 impinge upon the tops of fasteners 23 already driven into the base strip 2 I, the mounting blocks |01 are moved upwardly in the counterbores |06 at the lower ends of the bores |04 until the upper ends thereof impinge on the shoulders |09 at the upper ends of said ccunterbore. In this manner, damage to the hole forming ends |22 of the punches I I5 is prevented and, when the defective carpet fastener 22 has been run through the apparatus I3, the lever |26 of the release means |25 can be rotated to the full line position shown inFig. 13 of the drawings to restrain the upper ends of the mounting shanks |03 and thus the punch means 92 from the upward movement in the bores |04 and their associated counterbore |05.

The manner in which the hole forming end |22 of the punch II5 is driven into a base strip 2| is graphically illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings, it being clearly shown that the hole forming end |22 of the punch I |5 does not fully penetrate the base strip 2| but provides a hole for receiving a fastener 23 which is subsequently driven thereinto and completely through the base strip 2| in a manner to be described in greater detail below. In considering Fig. 7 of the drawings, it should be noted that the bed structure i9 includes a centrally located segment |30, said segment being provided with a front wall |3I, a rear wall |32 and a base |33, all of which are fastened by suitable fastening means, such as welding, to the table structure I2. Supported upon the upper edges of the front and rear walls 13| and |32 and disposed at an angle of substantially 30 with the horizontal surface of the table structure I2 is bed plate |35 which is provided with a pair of elongated grooves |35 land |36, said grooves being designed to permit the passage of the fasteners 23 after they have been inserted in the base strip 2|. It will be noted that the grooves |35 and |30 are vertically oriented as are the punches II5 of the punch means 92 so that the pre-punched holes formed in the base strip 2| are vertically oriented but angularly inclined with respect to the upper face of the base strip 2|.

` It should also be noted that the angular inclination of the bed plate |34 with respect to theV horizontal is substantially equal to the angle of inclination of the base strip receiving bin 26 so that the angular orientation of the transverse axes of the base strips as they pass along the bed structure |9 from the bin 26 is preserved to accomplish the angular orientation of the fasteners 23 driven into the base strip.

If it is desired to increase or reduce the depth of the holes formed by the punch ||5, the threaded portion ||I of the socket I|0 can be rotated in the nut ||2 on the mounting block |01 to cause a corresponding extension or retraction of the threaded portion from or into the nut ||2, thus reducing or increasing the distance between the lower end of the punch |I5 and the base strip 2| when the drive bar 82 of the carriage |'I is in its first, uppermost position. Therefore, when diiferent gages of base strip material are utilized, the lower end of the punch I5 can be raised or lowered by the aforementioned adjustment of the threaded portion I of the socket I I0 to permit the depth of penetration of the punch ||5 in the base strip 2| to be adjusted.

Since the fastener driving means 93 of the first and second sets of punch and driving means are identical in configuration, only the fastener driving means 93 of the second set will be described, it. being understood that the construction of the lfastener driving means 93 of the first set is identical therewith with the exception of the fact that fastener driving means 93 of the first set is designed to drive the fasteners 23 of the rst row 91 while the fastener driving means 93 of the second set is designed to drive the fasteners 23 of the second row 98 of fasteners in the base strip 2| of the carpet fastener 22.

The fastener driving means 93 includes a mounting shank |38, as best shown in Figs. 2, 8, and 13 of the drawings, said mounting shank being secured by means of a nut |39 in a vertical bore |40, said bore being provided at its lower end with a counterbore |4| against the upper accenni 11 end of which is seated a mounting block |42 which has an adjustment nut |43 secured to the lower end thereof. A socket |44 has its threaded upper end |45 secured in the mounting block |42 and is designed to receive the upper end of a fastener driving .rod |41. The lower end of the driving rod |41 is disposed in a vertical bore |49 in a guide block |50 which is fastened to the mounting bar 84 by .means of .a bolt |5.|. The threaded upper end |45 of the socket |44 can be retracted v.into or extended from 'the nut |43 on the lower end of the mounting block |42 to cause -the .spacing .of the lower end of the fastener driving rod |41 .above the bed plate |34 to be correspondingly increased or'decreased.

Mounted on .the guide block |50 is a pair of fastener feeding jaws |53 the lowermost ends of which are disposed below the end of the vertical .bore |49. A fastener feeding passage `|55 in the guide block |50 commuicates -with the vertical `bore |45 and receives fasteners 2'3 from a feeder, not shown, through a tube |155, the 'fasteners being fed from .the feeding passage |55 into the jaws |53 from which they are expelled by the downward movement of the fastener driving rod l| '41 which movement drives them through the .holes previously .formed in the base strip 2|, as -.best .shown in Fig. V of the drawings. Thus, after a 'hole has been pre-punched in the base strip .2| by .either the punch means v92 of the first set .or the punch .means 92 of the second set, its associated .fastener driving rmeans `93 drives a fastener l23 into the hole and causes a substantial portion thereof to be projected from the upper face of the base strip 2| which is inverted on the bed plate |34 of the centrally located segment |30 of the .bed structure |9.

Therefore, when the-carriage |1 is reciprocated from the first, uppermost position to the second, lowermost position, two fasteners 23 are simultaneously driven through the base .strip 12| Vin the first and second rows 91 and '98 'by means of the fastener driving means 93v while two holes are simultaneously pre-punched adjacent to, 'but spaced from, the holes in which the fasteners 23 are driven simultaneously with the driving of the .same by means of the punch means v92 associated with said fastener driving means 53. As previously indicated, we have discovered that .even when the holesfor receiving the fasteners 23 are pre-punchedin the base strip 2 l, splintering of the material-on the inverted upper .face of the .basev strip will occur when the 4fasteners 23 are driven into the pre-punched holes by the` action of the fastener driving means 93 of the apparatus I0. Since the splintering of the base strip 2| materially .reduces the marketability thereof, we have provided anti-splintering means constituted by auxiliary support means' |60 and 16|, best shown in Fig. ll, which are respectively disposed in recesses l|62 and |63 in the bed'plate |34 of the centrally located bed structure segment |30. The auxiliary support means |60 and |6| are respectively embodied in starwheels |64 and |65 mounted for rotation on pins |66 and .I 61, said pins being secured by appropriate means .to the bed plate |34. Since the auxiliary support means |60 and |6| are identical in configuration, vstructure, and mode of operation, only the wheel |64 will be described, identical numerals being applied to the wheel |65. The starwheel |64 is provided with a plurality of lobes Vwhich define therebetween fastener receiving spaces |1|. When .a portion of a fastener is driven 'into the base 'strip 2| by the action of the fastener driving 'means '93. it is 'projected through the space which 'completely spans the groove |35, that is, the "space |1|a in Fig. 11 of the drawings. In a similar manner, the space |1'|a between the lobes '|10 'of the starwheel |65 `which overlies and spans the kgroove |36 in the bed plate |34 is designed to'receive a fastener projected therethrough 'by the 'fastener driving means 93 vof the second set. It will be noted that 'the spaces |1| between the v'lobes |10 of the starwheel |64 are of relatively small width so that the edges of Vadjacent lobes |10 support the inverted base strip 2| 'adjacent the pre-punched openings when the fasteners 23 are driven therethrough. 'I'he additional support provided by the edges of the lobes |10 of the starwheel |64 prevents the splintering, distortion, or configuration of the face of the base `strip 2| Yand 'also serves to support the area contiguous to the undersides of the vpre-punched holes when the 'fasteners 23 are driven therethrough.

Associated with the starwheels |64 Vand |65 are registering means |13 consisting of elongated spring strips |14 having jdetent pins |15 secured to lone 'end thereof while their opposite ends are mounted in mounting blocks |16 secured adjacent `the edges ofthe bed plate 134. The ycletent pins |15 are shaped to fit between the outer ends of adjacent 'lobes |10 of the starwheels "|64 and |65 'and are designed to restraini'the starwheels |64, |65 against inadvertent rotation -So that the spaces |1|aV lying across the vgrooves |35 and `|36 Iwill register during a period in which a fastener is driven with the lower Yends ofthe fastener `driving 4means 93 so tha-tthere will 'be no possibility that a fastener will be driven into one of the lobes |15 rather than therebetween.

Alter a fastener 23 has been driven through the `base strip 2|, the strip is ytranslated along the bed plate |34 by mea-ns -to be described in detail hereinafter Iand the projecting portion vof the fastener located in the opening |`1|a causes the rotation of 4t-he star-wheel |"64 in a'c1ockwise direction, said rotation urging the pin |15 out of the -space |1| in which it has previously rested 'and permitting Aa new space' |1| -to 'be positioned yacross the groove |35 land to span the same. When the starwheel |64 is so rotated, the fastener 23 leaves the wheel before the complete yrotation of the Wheel is accomplished but the radiuson the lobe of the wheel is engaged by the pin l|15 whose spring bias causes the additional rotation of the wheel into proper position. When the space |1| is `properly positioned, the detent pin enters a new space and vthe starwheel '|64 is Vheld Iagainst inadvertent rotation. In this manner, the vprojecting portions of ,the fasteners 'driven into the spaces 41| between the lobes .of the starwheels |64 and |165 also accomplish the rotation thereof to bring successive spaces |1| between the lobes A|'i'0 into registry with 'the grooves 35 and |36 with which they are 'associatecL 'I'.he :depth adjustment Vmeans 95 of theapparatus :I0 includes hammer means #80 mounted on Ythe drive 4bar 82 of the carriage, said hammer means inchiding, as best shown in Fig. 10 vof the drawings, a cylinder LIBI .afxed 'to the drivefbar 82 by means 'of :a bolt and nut -combination |83. The cylinder |6| provides a vertical bore |04 in which is disposed the upper :end-of a reciproca'ble rod |85. Fastened tothe lowermost end of the rod |35 is a hammer F86 which has an angularly oriented striking face |81'. The angular orientation of the striking face |81 is approximately 30 from the horizontal and corresponds to the angular orientation of the bed plate |34 and the base strip 2| deposited thereupon. A compression spring |89 encompasses the lower end of the reciprocable rod |85 and has its upper and lower ends seated respectively against the lower end of the cylinder |8| and the upper end of the hammer |86.

Disposed below the hammer means |80 of the depth adjustment means 95 is the anvil means 9| thereof, said anvil means including a first anvil |92 and a second anvil |93, the upper ends of which project respectively into the grooves |35 and |36 of the bed plate |34 through openings in said plate and are designed to be engaged by the lowermost ends of fasteners 23 which have been driven through the base strip 2|, as best shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The tops of the anvils |92 and |93 are frusto-conical to permit formation of the carpet fastener 22 may be performed upon the base strip 2|. The conveyor means 200, as best shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3-6 of the drawings, includes a longitudinally reciprocable conveyor carriage 202 which is slidably mounted on a wedge block 203 secured to the table structure |2 by means of bolts 204. A longitudinally oriented guide rod 205 is secured in the body of the conveyor carriage 202 and has its opposite end slidably mounted in an aperture 201 in the end of the wedge block 203. A compression spring 26B encompasses the guide rod 205 and has one end seated against the carriage 202 f while its other end is seated on a spring seat 209 fasteners which protrude excessively to ride up y on the anvils and to prevent their being caught on the edges thereof. `The lowermost ends of the anvils |92 and |93 are threaded in a mounting block |95, said anvils being designed to be extended into and retracted from the openings in the bed plate |34 by means of heads |96 provided thereupon.

It will be noted that the anvils |92 and |93 are spaced so that the anvil |92 cooperates with the groove |35 and the anvil |93 cooperates with the groove |36 so that the anvil |92 adjusts the depth of the fasteners 23 in the first row 91 while the anvil |93 adjusts the fasteners 23 of the sec- 'ond row 98. The tops of the anvils |92 and |93 are also staggered longitudinally with respect to each other so that the depth of penetration of the fasteners 23 in the base strip 2| in the adjacent rows of fasteners may be simultaneously adjusted.

After the fasteners 23 have been driven through the base strip 2| by the action of the fastener driving means 93, the strip 2| is moved along the bed plate |34 so that the fasteners 23 just previously driven are halted momentarily under the hammer |86 of the hammer means |80. The

hammer |86 is carried downwardly with the del scent of the drive bar 82 causing the angularly oriented face |81 thereof to impinge upon the base strip 2| and force it against the bed plate |34. Therefore, if the fasteners 23 have been driven too deeply through the base strip 2|, the action of the hammer |86 will force the lowermost ends of the fasteners against the upper ends of the anvils |92 and |93 to cause the fasteners 23 to be urged upwardly until the lengths of the portions projecting from the base strip 2| equal the` desired length. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the extent of projection of the fasteners from the face of the strip 2| substantially uniform so that no difficulty is encountered in afixing the edge of the carpet thereto. more, the adjustability of the anvils |92 and |93 permits the extent of projection of the fasteners above the face of the base strip 2| to be regulated in accordance with the thickness of the strip, the length of the fasteners, and other factors. It will also be noted that the fact that the hammer |86 is spring biased permits a sufficient, but not excessive, pressure to be applied to the base strip 2| so that no injury or distortion of the base strip will occur.

Conveyor means 200 is provided on the apparatus I0 to convey the base strip 2| along the bed structure |9 and particularly along the centrally located segment of the bed structure so that the various operations involved in the Furtheradjacent the aperture 201 in the Wedge rblock 203. A pair of nuts 2li, Fig. 6, is threaded-onto the end of the guide rod 205 projecting through the aperture 201 to retain the free end of the guide rod 205 against ejection from the aperture 201 by the biasing action of the spring 208, saidV spring tending to urge the guide rod 205 and the conveyor carriage 202 associated therewith in a direction away from the aperture 291, that is, a direction to the left as shown in Figs. l, 2, andi of the drawings.

Mounted on the left-hand end of the conveyor carriage 202 is cam follower means `2 I5, said means being constituted by a roller 2 i6 revolubly mounted on a pin 221 secured in the upper end of a standard 2|8 which is formed integrally with the left-hand end of the conveyor carriage 202. The roller 2|6 of the cam follower means 2|5 is urged into engagement with the rise portion 89 of the cam member 88 because the spring 208 carries the carriage 202 to the left and serves to maintain the roller 2|6 in continuous engagement with the cam 83.

Therefore, when the carriage |1 descends and the cam 88 is carried downwardly therewith, the roller 2|6 rides on the rise portion 89 of the cam 88 as the rise portion descends, being urged to the right against the bias of the spring 298' and gradually compressing same, as the guide rod 205 is projected from the aperture 201 in the wedge block 203. When the roller 2|6 reaches the crest of the rise portion 89 of the cam 88, it enters the dwell portion 90 of the cam and is held immobile in an extreme right-hand position. Subsequently, when the carriage returns from its second, lowermost position to its iirst, uppermost position, the roller 2|6 rides down the dwell portion 99 of the cam 88 to the rise portion 89 thereof and the spring 208 shifts the carriage 202 to the left. It is apparent, therefore, that during a substantial portion of the movement of 'the carriage |1 into its second, lowermost position, the carriage 202 is held by the dwell portion 90 of the cam 88 against movement in its extreme right-hand position thus immobilizing temporarily the base strip 2| being conveyed by the conveyor means 200, in a manner to be described in greater detail below, and rendering the conveyor means 200 intermittent in operation.

Mounted on the conveyor carriage 292 and longitudinally reciprocable with said carriage is an auxiliary bed segment 220 which has securely attached thereto a longitudinally reciprocable retainer bar 22|. Fastened at one end to the auxiliary bed segment 220, which is oriented at an angle of substantially 30 to the horizontal, is a connector bar 223 which is also oriented at an angle of 30 to the horizontal and which provides an auxiliary supporting surface for the upper edge of the base strip 2| as it is conveyed through the apparatus |0. The connector bar 223 is pro- .15 vided intermediate .its ends with an integral offset lportion .224 constituted by .an vupraised vbump which clears the :starwheel |54 and other portions .of the mechanism.

Formed integrally with `or .otherwise suitably .connected to the opposite rend of the connector bar 223 is a second `auxiliary ybed segment 226 having appropriately located grooves 22'1 and 22B vwhich register, respectively, with the grooves |35 and |36 in the centrally located bed segment |30 to permit the passage of fasteners 23 after they have -been driven through .the base strip 2|. A longitudinally reciprooable vretainer bar 23D is secured .to the second auxiliary bed segment 22E and, Yas vbest shown in Figs. 1 and 2.3 of the drawings, 4iS slidably supported on .a .standard 232 at one .end ofthe hed structure l5, said standard being provided at its upper end with .rollers 234 and .-2.35 which respectively engage the lower edge and the underside of .the guide 4bar 230 and thus support the second auxiliary .bed segment A226 and the outermost end of the connector bar 223.

Rotatably secured to the connector bar 223 at its right-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is a spring biased pawl 23.8 which is .biased by .a spring v239 into .a position in which its lowermost end engages the edgeof a base .strip 2|., a similar pawl .24| .being located at the opposite end vof the connector bar .-2 23 and being ,biased .in a similar .manner by means of .a spring 2.42.

A .connector rod 244, as best shown in Figs. 2 yand .5 of the drawings, turns the .pawls 230 and 24| so that the .engagement and release of .the lowermost lends thereof with or from the upper vedge of a base strip 2 or a plurality of base strips 2| occurs simultaneously.

The operation of the conveyor .means 2.20 Vis as follows: When the descent .of the cam 88 on the carriage causes the movement of the conveyor Acarriage 202 to the right, as viewed in Figs. land 2 of the drawings, .the 4lowermost end A'of the pawl 238 is caused to .ride `freely over the upper edge of the lowermost base strip of a .stack of superimposed base strips 2| in the .bin '2t adjacent the .delivery end thereof. During the momentary halt `in the reciprocable movement of the conveyor means 200, .occasioned by the engagement `of the cam follower roller .2!.6 with the dwell portion 90 of the cam 88, no movement of the base strips .2| from the bin occurs. However, when the carriage |'l starts its movement. from the second, lowermost position to the irst, upper- -pawl 238 bites into the upper .edge of the base .strip 2| and draws it through the delivery opening 64 of the bin 2.0. In setting up the apparatus .for operation, it is customary to manually place a base strip 2| on the centrally locatedbed .segment |30 in a position where the punch means 92 .and the fastener drivingmeans 93 may initiate their operations on the strip without the necessity for waiting for the apparatus to deliver a strip thereto.

However, during the subsequent operation of the machine, the base stri-ps 2! are moved through the .apparatus l by the action of .the conveyor means 200 alone. It should be noted that. the movement of the conveyor carriage 202` to the left by the action of the spring 202 impales. the base strips 2| upon the lowermost ends of the 16 `pawls ,238 and 24| .and causes an increment of movement .in the base strips 2| which is equal .to the distance .between adjacent fasteners 23 in ythe -rows .of .fasteners .As 4the carriage .|'I 4is rec'iprocated between .the ti-rst, uppermost position and the second, lowermost position, the conveyor carriage2'02 'is shifted .backend .forth from left to .right and from right toleft, as .shown inFigs. .1, and 2 of the drawings, the movement of the` conveyor carriage 202 tothe right being accomplished by .the .downward movement of the carriage |`1 and .the movement ofthe conveyor carriage 202 to the left being permitted by the upward movement 4of the carriage l1. In this manner, the vbase strip 2| is carried along the centrally located bed segment |30, the descent 'of the carriage Il .into .the second, lowermos't position causing .six -operations to ytake place simultaneously, that is, two holes are ,prepunched .in the `base strip 2| .by the .punch means '92, two fasteners are driven into holes previously form-ed by the punch lmeans 92 by the .fastener driving .means Stand two driven fasteners :have the lengths of their projecting portions adjusted l:by the. depth adjustment` means 95.

When the end of a completed carpet .fastener 22 passes lfrom the end of the centrally .located .bed seg-ment |130, the pawl 24| of the conveyor means 200 continues tov move the completed carpet fastener 22 alongthe bed strutture I9 4until it :is'discharged therefrom. .It will be .noted that a fixed yguide .bar 250., 'best shown .in Fig. '2 of the drawings, is provided .between the reciprocable retainer and guide bars 22| and 230, said xed vguide bar .being securely fastened to the ycentrally located bed segment |30 adjacent its ends. Secured to the right-hand yend of the fixed guide bar 250 is a retainer block 253 which is adjustably mounted on and `overlies the base strip 2| as it is drawn ,from the bin .26 and .prevents the base strip 2| from being dislodged from the bed structure I9. The adjustablemounting permits strips Aof various thicknesses to be accommodated.

-The methode-f our invention is defined .by the stepsof angularlyl orienting. a base strip to permit vertical openings to be rformed therein which will Subsequently have driven therethrough fasteners 23 whose lprojecting ends are yang-ularly `oriented vwith .respect tothe face of the base strip 2|.. .Also included in the stepscomprising the vmethod of our invention is the idea of providing temporary auxiliary support for the inverted lface of the .base strip 2| while the fasteners Yare driven. into the pre-punched holes therein, .said auxiliary support preventing the splmtering or excessive disguration of the face of the strip .and .increasing the marketability thereof. .Another -step comprised in the practice of the method of our invention is the automatic depth adjustment yof the projecting portions of the .fasteners v23 previouslydriven through the base strip 2| by the Vaction of the fastener driving mea-ns 93 to insure the equal and uniform v4projec tion of the ends of .the fasteners above the .face of the base strip 2|.

vAnother aspect of the practice .of the method of our invention is the superimposition of the base strips .2| in the bin 26 in such a manner that both the longitudinal and transverse axes .are angularly oriented with respect to a horizontal plane. Thus, the lowermost of the superimposed pile of base strips2| .in the. bin 2'6 will, when drawn from the delivery end of the bin through 'the delivery opening B4, be engaged by only the lowermost end of the next succeeding base strip 2| so that there is a minimal resistance to the withdrawing of the base strip from the bin by the action of the conveyor means 200.

Among the important contributions to the art included in the apparatus I of our invention is the provision of the adjustable bin 26 for receiving the base strips 2i, the intermittentconveyor means 26u for moving the base strips 2l along the bed structure by increments which are equal to the spaces between adjacent fasteners, the provision for simultaneously' preforming fastener receiving holes in the bas strip and for driving fasteners in previously formed holes, the temporary auxiliary supporting means which permits the face of the base stripto be supported close to the previously formed holes in the base strip to prevent the splintering or excessive disfiguration of the face when the fasteners are driven therethrough, and the release means incorporated in the apparatus for permitting the punch means 92 to be temporarily inactivated when an imperfectly manufactured fastener 22 is refed through the apparatus or backed up manually.

Also of importance is the automatic depth adjusting means for adjusting the lengths of the projecting portions of the fasteners to a predetermined norm and various other features of the apparatus I 0 which are not specifically alluded hereto but which appear in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

We claim as our invention: 1. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a bed for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; punch means for forming fastener re. ceiving holes in said base; support means on said bed for engaging and supporting the underside of said base adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough, said support means being xedly secured intermediate the ends of said bed and being movable on said bed about its point of securement thereto; and fastener driving means for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base.

2. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a bed for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; punch means for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; rotary support means on said bed for engaging and supporting the under-y side of said base immediately adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough; and fastener driving means for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base.

3. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of a bed for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; punch means for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; support means on said bedfor supporting the underside of saidv base adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough, said support means including a plurality of recesses for receiving portions of said fasteners after they are driven through said base; and fastener driving means for inserting said fasteners in .said holes and driving them through said base.

4. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a bed for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed ;l punch means for forming fastener re-l ceiving holes in saidv base; rotary'support means4 on said bed for supporting the underside of said base adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough, said support means including a plurality of recesses for receiving portions of said fasteners after they are driven through said base; and fastener driving means for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base.

5. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage mounted on said frame for movement between a first position and a second position; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; punch means mounted on said carriage for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base; and support means secured intermediate the ends of said bed for supporting and engaging successive portions of the underside of said base immediately adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough.

6. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage mounted on said frame for movement between a rst position and a second position; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; punch means mounted on said carriage for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base; support means on said bed for supporting the underside of said base adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough; and depth adjustment means adjacent said bed for adjusting the extent of projection of said fasteners from said base, said depth adjustment means including anvil means on said bed and a reciprocable hammer on said carriage for engaging said base during the adjustment of said fasteners on said anvil means.

7. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage mounted 0n said frame for movement between a first position and a sec-- v ond position; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; punch means mounted on said carriage for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; release means mounted on said carriage in juxtaposition to said punch means for temporarily rendering said punch means ineffec-y tive; fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base; support means on said bed for supporting the underside of said base adjacent said holes during the drive ing of said fasteners therethrough; and depth= adjustment means adjacent said bed for adjusting the extent of projection of said fasteners from said base.

8. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame;v

a reciprocable carriage mounted on said framev a conveyor on said frame operatively connected.

to said carriage for translating said base along said bed; punch means mounted on said carriage" I forforming fastener receiving holes'in said base;

moana fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base: and support means xedly secured to said bed intermediate the ends thereof and movable by said fasteners after they ane driven through said base about its point of securement to said bed.

9. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a neciprocable carriage mounted on said frame for movement between a first position and a second position; a bed for receiving said base mounted on said frame adjacent said carriage said bed having a recess intermediate its ends; an intermittently operable, reciprocable conveyor on said frame operatively connected to said carriage for sliding said base along said bed in `direct contact therewith and over said recess.; punch means mounted on said carriage for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for insorting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base; and support means secured in said recess for engaging lsaid base adjacent said holes as said fasteners are driven there- In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a. base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage mounted on said frame for movement between a first position and va second position; a bed for receiving said base mom'ited on said frame adjacent said carriage; an intermittently operative conveyor for translating said base along said bed; punch means mounted on said carriage for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; fastener .driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base; and support means secured intermediate the ends of said bed for supporting and engaging the underside of said base immediately adjacent said holes during the driving' of said fasteners therethrough, said support means being operable by the movement of said fasteners along said bed.

11. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage mounted on said frame for movement between a first position and a second position; a bed for receiving sai-d base mounted on said frame adjacent said carriage, said bed having a recess intermediate its ends a conveyor on said frame operatively connectedto said carriage for translating said base along said bed; punch means mounted on said carriage for forming fastener receiving holes in said base;v fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said holes anddr'iving them through said base; and support means in said recess for engaging and supporting the underside of said base immediately adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough.

12. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of z a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage mounted on said frame for movement between a rst position and a second position; a bed for receiving said hase mounted on said frame adjacent said carriage:

an intermittently operable conveyor on said;

frame. operatively connected to. said carriage for translating said base along said bed; punch; means mounted on said carriage forv forming.; fastener receiving holes in said base; fastener. driving means mounted, on said carriageforine;

sorting said fasteners in said hotes :and driving them through said base; and support means secured intermediate the ends 'of said bed for engaging and supporting successive portions 'of the underside of said base immediately adjacent said holes during the driving of said fasteners therethrough.

13. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage on said frame; cam means carried on said carriage and reciprocable therewith; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a reciprocable conveyor for moving said base along said bed, said yconveyor including engagement means automatically releasable from said base to permit said conveyor to be reciprocated with respect to said base to urge said base along said bed; and cam follower means `on said conveyor engageable with said cam for moving said conveyor with respect to said bed.

14. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage on said frame; cam means carried on said carriage and reciprocable therewith; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a reciprocable conveyor for moving said base along said bed, said conveyor including engagement means automatically releasable f rom said base to permit said conveyor to be reciprocated with Irespect to said base lto urge said base along said bed; cam follower means on said conveyor engageable with said cam for moving said conveyor with respect to said bed; and punch means for forming vfastener receiving holes in 7 said base.

15. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage on said frame; cam means carried on said carriage `and reciprocable therewith; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; `a reciprocable conveyor for moving said base along said bed, said conveyor including engagement means automatically releasable from said base to'permit said conveyor to be reciprocated with respect to said base to urge said hase along said bed; cam follower means on said conveyor engageable with said cam for moving said conveyor with respect to said bed; punch means for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; and fastener driving means for inserting said' fasteners in said holes anddriving them through said base.

16. In an apparatus 'for inserting fasteners in a base; the-combination of: a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage on said frame; cam means carried on said carriage andr reciprocable therewith; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a reciprocaloie conveyor for moving said base along said bed, said conveyor including engagement means automatically releasable from said base to permit said conveyor to be reciprocated with respect to said base to urge said basev along said bed; cam follower means onv said conveyor engageable with said cam for moving said conveyor with respect to said bed; and punch means mounted on said carriage for forming; fastener receiving holes in said base.

1'7. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, .the combination of a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage on saidframe; cam means carried-onsaid-carriage and reciprocable therewith a bed-mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a reciprocable'conveyor for moving said ,base along said bed, said conveyor includeneaeeinent -means automatically. selectable:

from said base to permit said conveyor to. be reciprocated with respect to saidl base to urge said base along said bed; cam follower means on said conveyor engageable with said cam for moving said conveyor with respect to said bed; punch means mounted on said carriage for forming fastener receiving holes in said base; and fastener driving means mounted. on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said holes and driving them through said base.

18. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage on said frame; a bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base, a reciprocable conveyor for moving said base along said bed, said conveyor including engagement means at its opposite ends adjacent opposite ends of said bed for automatically engaging and releasing said base to permit the reciprocation of said conveyor with respect to said base to urge said base along said bed; and fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said base and driving them therethrough.

19. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a supporting frame; a. reciprocable carriage on said frame; an elongated bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base in sliding relationship; a reciprocable conveyor for sliding said base along said bed, said conveyor including a conveyor carriage having an elongated extension attached to one end thereof and paralleling said bed, said conveyor carriage and said elongated extension each being provided with automatic engaging means for automatically engaging and releasing said base to urge it along said bed; and fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for driving said fasteners into said base.

20. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage on said frame having cam means secured thereto; an elongated bed mounted on said frame for receiving said base; a reciprocable conveyor for moving said base along said bed, said conveyor including cam follower means engageable with the cam means on said carriage for moving said conveyor in one direction with respect to said bed; spring means for moving said conveyor in the other direction with respect to said bed to accomplish the reciprocation of saidl conveyor to urge said base along said bed; and fastener driving means secured to said carriage for driving said fasteners into said base.

21. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of a supporting frame; a reciprocable carriage mounted on said frame for movement between a first position and a second position; a bed for receiving said base mounted on said frame adjacent said carriage; a reciprocable conveyor mounted on said frame adjacent said bed for slidably translating said base along said bed, said conveyor including engagement means for automatically engaging said base to slide said base along said bed; fastener driving means mounted on said carriage for inserting said fasteners in said base; and hopper means mounted on said frame adjacent one end of said bed, said hopper means having an adjustable end wall to permit the adjustment of said hopper means to accommodate bases of different lengths and a fixed end wall provided with an adjustable opening to permit one of the bases deposited in said hopper means to be extracted therefrom by the automatic engagement means on said conveyor to cause the extracted base to be slid along said bed by said conveyor. y

22. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a bed for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed;.fastener inserting and driving means for inserting said fasteners in said base and driving them therethrough; and support means secured intermediate the ends of said bed for supporting the underside of said base immediately adjacent the areas Where said fasteners are driven through said base, said support means including a vplurality of recesses for receiving portions of said fasteners after they have been driven through said base yand being movable about its point of securement to said bed. y

23. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base,v the combination of: a bed for receiving said base; va conveyor. for moving said base along said bed; fastener inserting andI driving means for inserting said fasteners in said base and driving them therethrough; and rotary support means on said bed for supporting the underside of said base immediately adjacent the areas Where said fasteners are driven through said base, said rotary support means including a plurality of recesses for receiving portions of said fasteners after they have been driven through said base, said rotary support means having positioning means operatively engageable therewith for aligning said recesses with said base areas to permit the passage of said portions of said fasteners therethrough.

24. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a bed for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; fastener inserting and. driving means for inserting said fasteners in said base and driving them therethrough; and a rotatable supporting wheel secured in said bed for engagement with the underside of said base as it is moved therealong by said conveyor, said supporting wheel having a plurality of recesses provided in the periphery thereof engageable by portions of said fasteners driven through said base, said supporting wheel being rotatable by the longitudinal movement of the portion of a fastener in one of said recesses to cause another of said recesses to be disposed in registry with the portion of a succeeding fastener driven through said base.

25. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in a base, the combination of: a bed for receiving said base; a conveyor for moving said base along said bed; fastener driving means for inserting said fasteners in said base and driving them therethrough; and a rotatable supporting wheel secured in said bed for engagement with the underside of said base as it is moved therealong by said conveyor, said supporting wheel having a plurality of recesses provided in the periphery thereof engageable by portions of said fasteners driven through said base, said supporting wheel being rotatable by the longitudinal movement of the portion of one of said fasteners in one of said recesses to cause another of said recesses to be disposed in registry with the portion of a succeeding fastener driven through said base, said wheel having positioning means operatively engageable with the periphery thereof for accurately registering said recesses with said portions of said fasteners as they are driven through said base.

26. In an apparatus for inserting fasteners in` a base, the combination of a supporting frame;

23@ a reciprocxble carriage; mounted om midi trame for movement between audit sec ond: positimn; a beds mountain om said' fname.` for reclaiming sauc base; ai, cunmeyon'lformnving: said base long: said; bed; tstenei.' driving means o mountedz on; said; canriage. for said fastenersf through said: basel; depth. adjnsmient adzi acentsaimhed: fan'adustmg the.- extent of projection of said fasteners' 12mm said base,

sai depth.A adjustment means including hammer 10 meams:` secured,1 te saint carriage: andl engagveable said hase: and; anvil' means.Y 'seeuredi to: said beat and` engazgeable" witln the ends'. of; said@ iastieners; simuiameouslyf withe the engagement of saixtbaiseby saidahammen HOWARDSL.. NEWCQME J5.. MYERS;

Refemmsa Gitan in, the 111e; of: this patent,

UNITED STAIESA PATENTS Number Nanne Date Myers Y Aug. 8, 1882 Avery Jan. 9, 1883 Swift Aug. 13;.1889 Fullei: v May 26, 1908 Dozier.- A-ug. 3,. 1920 Barker Dec.. 13, 1932 Krafh e1; al AprK 25, 1950 

